St. James Episcopal to host head shaving fundraiser

Members of St. James Episcopal Church are excited to get their heads shaved, and they are inviting Skaneateles residents to join them.

The upcoming event is a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser to help fight childhood cancer. Participants collect pledges from family and friends and agree to have their heads shaved as a visible, outward sign of the fight against all types of cancer. The money goes to St. Baldrick’s, a national organization, but one that helps numerous children in the Central New York area, specifically through donations to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

“It is such a positive, energetic, inspiring event full of hope,” said event co-chair David Plogman. “It is about beating cancer and remembering those children who have lost the fight.”

Plogman, a St. James member who lives in Marcellus, came up with the idea to host a St. Baldrick’s event in Skaneateles after he and his sons participated in two events at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Camillus through the boys’ Boy Scout troop.

“It was very emotional. You go to one of these events … and that’s all it took for me,” Plogman said.

The St. James event, which will start at noon on Sunday, March 18, will be held in Parish Hall at the church.

“This is a great event, a very cool thing,” said Beckey Coerper, rector of St. James. “If you think about it for a minute, it’s very heart-rending to think about what we are supporting. It certainly puts things in perspective.”

In addition to the head shaving, which will be done by professional stylists with electric clippers (not razors), the event will have music, food, entertainment and, most importantly, testimonials, Plogman said.

Dr. Karol Kerr, a pediatric oncologist from Upstate Medical Center, will speak about childhood cancer. Plogman also hopes to have some children and parents of children with cancer give testimonials as well, including, he hopes, a local girl who beat leukemia as the event’s “honored child.” He is still seeking individuals willing to speak for a few minutes to tell their stories.

“This is not just a St. James event, we look at this as a whole town event: anyone in the area can join and participate,” Plogman said.

The event currently has 13 shavees signed up, with a hope of getting at least 50, said Plogman, who will be shaving his head as well.

Coerper said she excited to be able to have the event at St. James when Plogman asked her. “I’m not shaving my head though, I’ll tell you that right now,” she said with a smile.

To participate, people can go to the St. Baldrick’s website at stbaldricks.org and register or even walk in on the day of the event. There is no minimum amount required to raise. Volunteers who raise $50 will receive a t-shirt.

For more information or to participate as a speaker, contact David Plogman at 447-3688 or email him at plogman@brownlie.com.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at editor@skaneatelespress.com.